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David Tennant

50 years of The Doctor. How the hell do you begin to write anything about that? For once I’m pleased I’m not Steven Moffat. Matt Smith, David Tennant, John Hurt and Billie Piper amongst others a stellar cast. I loved it, absolutely. I’m going to try not to spoil it for anyone who didn’t see it. (Like my blog will be the only place that mentions this) I will mention a few things though.

So many times do you wait for something that has a great fanfare beforehand only to find it doesn’t live up to it? This wasn’t one of those times. This was the TV event of the year if not the century. Surprises at every turn, humour and even rewards for the oldest fans of the show. Also the beauty of a time travel show means you can travel back and “put right what once went wrong” but enough about Quantum Leap.

One of the things I hated about Russell T Davies last ever episode with David Tennant is that Tennants Doctor says “I don’t want to go.” just before he regenerates. This is been a huge annoyance of mine because the Doctors regeneration is not him ‘going’ anywhere. Steven Moffat obviously was annoyed by this too. So he only bloody well went and fixed it. This alone would have made my night but wait there is plenty more.

Billie Piper (Rose Tyler) was criticised on her return to the show in 2010 after a two year absence as Rose’s voice had dramatically changed. Billie said that she had forgotten how Rose was supposed to sound. Cosmetic dental work aside of course. The vocal change did distract somewhat. So I have to admit I was worried about Rose Tylers return. Moffat brilliantly fixed this too.

I have spoken before about Matt Smith’s great ability to play a character much older and more world weary than himself. John Hurt managed to play a younger Doctor superbly, as you knew he would. Brilliantly acted, brilliantly casted.

I’d be a rubbish TV critic. This is a bit of non piece for which I make no apologies. I just didn’t think this would be quite so damn good.

So fifty years for the Doctor. 200 blog pieces for me. Not quite as impressive but a very fortuitous bit of timey wimey.

Doctor Who this month celebrates 50 years of existence. Which is very good for me as fan. My generation really missed out on the Doctor with the show being sent to the knackers yard by the BBC in 1989. I was 9. Had I been just a few years older I would have been able to appreciate the show. As it is I remember McCoy as MY doctor, and he was also voted the best doctor of all time when he was current resident of the TARDIS. He wasn’t of course.

In a recent Radio Times survey David Tennant has been voted the best Doctor with over 50% of the vote. I wouldn’t put Tennant at the top. In my view whilst there were some gems in his tenure as the Time Lord poor writing and shouty acting really put me off. Although it has to be said most of this dislike has come on in retrospect after being alerted to the Shouty, running Doctor by friends.

I get that Doctor Who is an action drama. Motion and movement are important, but largely lazy writing means that the solution to lot of problems is to run. If you don’t believe me play a drinking game where you have to drink every time Tennant says or is running. You’d have drunk the place dry by episode 3.

It’s difficult to vote on who is the best Doctor. It’s usually the person who is currently holding the sonice screwdriver who gets the nod. However Doctor Who in the Tennant years was much more a drama with Sci-fi elements. Since Steven Moffatt has been the show runner the program has moved a darker place with rewards for the regular viewer over those who dipped in on their way out to Yates.

Matt Smith has produced an excellent performance for such a young man playing a character over 900 years old. Maybe thats what it is with me when it comes to Tennant. Permit me to explain.

Sean Connery is my favourite Bond. In 1983 he made Never Say Never Again, which was not an official Bond film. In itself it’s quite enjoyable, with Rowan Atkinson making a pre- Johnny English big screen appearance. There is something about it however that doesn’t sit right as a Bond film. It appears to be Sean Connery, playing a younger Sean Connery who is playing Bond. This to me is what Tennants Who was like.

Tennant playing a Doctor, not THE Doctor. There were lots of inconsistencies Daleks could fly being the main one that springs to mind. Smith’s performance brought the show back to it’s roots playing the well travelled time lord with a wisdom and eccentricness whilst at the same time scaring the bejesus out of a new generation. Tennant could never quite pull that off.

Favourite doctor? High hopes for Peter Capaldi

Please visit the blog of the Resident Weeble who’s favourite Doctor may or may not be Doctor Dre